Kohli praises day-night Test experiment

NAGPUR, India (AP):

The first day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand to be played at the Adelaide Oval from Friday will be remembered for years to come, India Test captain Virat Kohli said yesterday.

"It's a landmark Test and a big step towards changing something in Test cricket," Kohli said ahead of the third Test against South Africa. "I hope it can be another option and I'm glad that the two teams have agreed to play an official Test like that, as an experiment."

Kohli said that cricketers should be willing to accept changes to increase attendances in Test cricket, although limited overs games are popular under lights.

"It might be a step that we'll all remember a few years down the line, let's hope so. As cricketers, we all should be willing and accepting of the need to step forward and contribute to the game, however possible.

"If this is a step towards improving the excitement and popularity of Test cricket, then I think every team should be in for it. Hopefully, it will be better for the game," he said.

The opening Test of the four-match series at Mohali saw only a few thousand spectators and crowds are not expected to be high for the Nagpur Test.

A pink ball will be used for the historic game. Kohli, whose team leads South Africa 1-0 in the four-Test series, said he had heard seeing the ball could be a problem at twilight.

"I've heard a few players giving feedback on playing with the pink ball. The only thing they were concerned about was that during twilight it was very hard to pick the ball. During the day it was fine, during the night it was all right as well. But when the floodlights are not on and when the sun is going down, is when they found it difficult," Kohli said.